Vikings ready to briefly hand special teams over to Joe Marciano

The Vikings expect their special teams to remain in good hands. This is after they closed the preseason with good feet.

Special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer can spend the weekend with the team at Winter Park, but come Monday, he must begin a three-game, regular-season suspension for making a homophobic remark during a 2012 position meeting.

The suspension, levied by the Vikings, can be reduced to two games if he properly completes sensitivity training during the first two weeks of September.

Longtime special teams coach Joe Marciano will replace Priefer on an interim basis, responsible for games Sept. 7 at St. Louis, Sept. 14 against New England and, perhaps, Sept. 21 at New Orleans.

The Vikings closed the preseason with a 19-3 win Thursday at Tennessee. Kicker Blair Walsh, who had missed two field goals and an extra point in the first two preseason games, made all four of his field-goal attempts and an extra point against the Titans.

Punter Jeff Locke averaged 51.5 yards on two boots.

"Joe will pick up right where Mike leaves off," Walsh said. "And as soon as Mike's unfortunate thing is over, he'll be right back at being the best (special teams coach) in the league."

Priefer's suspension was announced in July, six months after former punter Chris Kluwe accused him of making homophobic comments in an article published by Deadspin.com. He also accused the Vikings of releasing him in May 2013 because of his outspoken support for same-sex marriage.

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A team investigation concluded Kluwe was released for football reasons only, but confirmed that Priefer made one offensive remark.

Kluwe and the team reached a settlement this month that includes team donations to five gay rights groups over the next five years.